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Are You a Magical Natural? – 11 Signs That You Have Inherent Magical Abilities

Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Tess Whitehurst, author of Magical Housekeeping, The Good Energy Book, The Art of Bliss, Magical Fashionista, The Magic of Flowers, and the new Holistic Energy Magic and the forthcoming Magic of Flowers Oracle.

Something funny about being born with magical abilities is that you often don’t know it—or at least don’t fully realize the extent of it—because you assume that everyone else is having the exact same experience you are. It’s a natural assumption, because it’s all you’ve ever known! If you’re an empath, you think everyone else can feel other people’s feelings. If you’re an animal communicator, you think everyone else can tell what her dog is thinking. If you’re a master manifester, you think everyone else can visualize something and watch it miraculously appear within a matter of hours or weeks. Consequently, you may imagine that you’ve got to practice harder in order to develop your magical abilities, while it actually may be more important for you to realize and embrace the abilities that you already have. Then, once you do that, you can wield them consciously and learn to express them in even more wonderful ways. With this in mind, here are 11 signs that your magical abilities are perhaps more potent than you previously thought.

Please keep in mind that everyone’s magical abilities are different, so these need not all be true for you. Even one or two will indicate strong magical proclivities.

You love magical and metaphysical book and supply stores. Clearly, you sense the energy and power of things like incense, crystals, candles, spiritual writings, and crystal singing bowls. Otherwise, you wouldn’t find anything of interest at these stores.
You notice recurring patterns. Does it seem like almost every time you look at the clock, you see 11:11? Or 4:44? Or 12:34? Or maybe you go through times when—almost every day—you see a single hawk circling high in the sky, or dream about being able to breathe under water. These are messages from the spirit world coming through. As a medicine man or woman, you’re a bridge between the worlds of spirit and matter, and you’re being called to interpret and heed the messages you receive.
You think about someone, and then they contact you. As a magical person, you are especially tuned into the interconnection between all people, places, and thoughts. So someone crosses your mind while you’re in the shower, and you get out and find that they just called you. Or you start wondering about that question you emailed to your friend, and then you check your email, and there’s your answer.
You are an intuitive cook. Maybe you start with a recipe or maybe you don’t, but either way you frequently end up with a dish or a meal that no one has ever prepared before. And it’s (often) awesome! This is a physical mirror of your spiritual ability of sensing exactly what is needed energetically in order to bring about the reality you desire.
You can sense what a cat is about to do. Have you ever met a neighborhood cat while out for a walk and known absolutely, without a doubt in your mind, how to approach in order not to frighten him away? Have you thought to yourself, for example, If I take one more step, he’s going to dash, but if I squat down and look at my fingernails like I don’t really care, he’s going to approach…And then you were right? Yeah, you were tuning into that cat’s consciousness. And yeah, not everyone can do that.
You somehow know the tone of voice to use to get any wild animal to look at you and pay attention. Have you ever seen an owl or a deer and said, “Hi buddy!” or “Hey you,” in a certain tone of voice and had her calmly look right at you? Like you could just think about your intention to connect and then you could somehow connect? Again: not something everyone can do. Humans speaking to wild animals=not usually successful. They usually err on the side of caution and flee.
You are really picky about color. You might like every color in the rainbow, but only certain very specific shades seem to nourish you at any given time. Color is energy, so this points to your ability to sense nuances of energy, and to know how that energy interacts with everything else.
You can tell when someone’s lying. You just know. How do you know? You don’t know…Until now, that is: it’s because you’re magical. You’re awake to subtleties that fall under the radars of many people.
You perceive plants as having personalities. And now you might be thinking, Wait, not everyone perceives plants as having personalities? No, my friend, they do not. Crazy, right?
You crave the feeling of walking barefoot on grass. For you, it’s not just a warm weather amusement, it’s (sometimes) an actual necessity. This is because a part of your magic is your attunement with the Earth. Walking barefoot or sitting on the earth is literally a communion with your Divine Mother and a way of receiving her unconditional love, healing, and support.
You prefer hiking or walking in nature quietly, even when with a partner or group. You may even have decided you don’t like walking in nature with others, because their idle chitchat irritates you. And talking on your phone? Never! It misses the whole point of listening to the wind and birds, and feeling at one with with the nurturing presence of the natural world. Mother Nature is just so alive and sacred to you, you see no reason to listen to anything but her.

So, what did you discover? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Our thanks to Tess for her guest post! For more from Tess Whitehurst, read her article “Visualization for People Who Have Trouble Visualizing.”

Intuiting Your Health

Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Sherrie Dillard, author of the new Discover Your Psychic Type, Love and Intuition, You Are a Medium, and the new Develop Your Medical Intuition.

Soon into my career as a psychic and medium, clients asked me to give them my intuitive impressions about their health. These questions ranged from a general health overview to more specific questions about an illness or pain. Although I was intuitive and confident of my abilities from an early age, when it came to health-related questions, I was resistant. Intuiting energy information about relationships or finances and communicating with the other side seemed more straightforward and, frankly, less complicated. Like many people, I wondered if the domain of health was better left to medical professionals. However, my reservations soon gave way to enthusiastic participation as I witnessed the positive impact that intuitive information was having on my clients’ health and well-being.

You, too, may be intimidated by the idea of using your intuition in the area of health and well-being. Unlike the skills that a medical doctor may use in determining illness or the cause of pain, intuition can seem elusive and hard to pin down. Yet, medical intuition does not diagnose or provide medical services. Instead, the paradigm of medical intuition includes a vast array of energy information, such as the present and future condition of the physical body and how negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, and unhealed emotions may be impacting your health. It uncovers and reveals information and influences that conventional medicine cannot easily detect or fully understand. Your physical body is always communicating to you, and everyone has the innate intuitive ability to tune into and discern its messages.

To better understand the difference between approaching health-related issues primarily through the thinking mind and accessing health information through intuitive awareness, try this.

Ask yourself the following question (or a similar health-related question): How can I improve my heath, or what do I need to do to stay healthy? Think about this question then write down your thoughts and feelings. When you are have finished, sit quietly and breathe. Take long cleansing inhales and exhale any stress and tension.

Send a thought message to your body that you would like to communicate with it. You may want to put your hand on your heart or solar plexus and send your body love and support as you listen and tune in.

In this quiet and meditative state, ask yourself the same question: How can I improve my heath, or what do I need to do to stay healthy?

Close your eyes and listen. Pay attention to any sensations, impressions, thoughts, feelings, or images that surface. Continue to breathe and listen within. When you receive an intuitive message or insight, do not overthink it. Accept what you receive, even if it does not make sense, and write it down.

You will likely discover that your intuition offers valuable and surprising insights.

Our thanks to Sherrie for her guest post! For more from Sherrie Dillard, read her article “Intuiting Your Way to Good Health.”

Angelic Ritual Possession

Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Aaron Leitch, author of several books, including Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires, The Angelical Language Volume I and Volume II, and Essential Enochian Grimoire.

I have seen it stated, as a cold hard fact, that spiritual possession (also referred to as being “mounted” or “ridden” by a spirit) is not a part of the Western tradition. This person even asserted that no true archangel would ever possess a person (that activity being strictly relegated to the demonic).

Yet, over the years of my occult practice, especially my Solomonic work, I have seen plenty of archangels (and deities) possess people.

The grimoires do not *specifically* mention ritual possession; however, I am not so convinced it isn’t there. It could very well be that the books’ authors simply didn’t see it as a “thing”—that it wasn’t such a special event they felt a need to designate it separately from regular skrying. That is to say, once a skryer sits down to the task, he or she might simply have visions OR they might be mounted by the spirits who then speak through them.

Indeed, John Dee describes, in his journals, Edward Kelley going into a trance while he skryed. (A flash of light extended from the stone and into Kelley’s head). During this trance Kelley could understand the angels’ speech, and it sure seems like they (the angels) spend a lot of time speaking directly through him. At one point in the journals, Kelley specifically says he can feel them moving around inside his head, and he hated the feeling.

My wife is a natural at this kind of thing, and she describes the exact same feeling during our Solomonic and Enochian work. (Though I can’t say “hate” is the way she feels toward it, but “love” isn’t the right word, either.) And she will indeed sometimes have visions or sometimes be mounted directly by the angels.

And no, we are not talking about mixing in ATR techniques into our work. These trance possessions take place via perfectly traditional Solomonic (and sometimes Golden Dawn, see below) rituals.

And while I am not a natural at it, I have spent years (working with my Holy Guardian Angel) to develop the skill. Of course my HGA is the first and foremost spirit who does this with me. I have also been ridden by Gabriel (who proceeded to perform an exorcism on one of my students). We also do this sort of thing in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where we summon an angel or god by calling it down directly onto a medium. I once got to be the medium for Iophiel (my patron), and it was a wonderful and deeply moving experience for all.

In my opinion, ritual possession is one of the “lost secrets” of Western Magick. I know I am not the only modern magician exploring this subject, and I think we have much to discover ahead.

Our thanks to Aaron for his guest post! Visit Aaron Leitch’s author page for more information, including articles and his books.

Answer the Call Spread

Taken from Tarot Spreads: Layouts and Techniques to Empower Your Readings by Barbara Moore.

The Judgement card is about, in part, hearing a calling. It is a moment when you feel compelled toward something larger than yourself. These callings can be difficult to respond to, as they can be powerful but sometimes vague or very different from your current way of thinking. This spread helps clarify the calling and gives advice on how to respond to it.

1, Calling: The nature of the call. This is the heart of the matter, the focus of change, the major energy being communicated.

2, Spiritual response: This is how you are being asked to respond spiritually to this call. It can show a shift in spiritual beliefs or practice.

3, Intellectual response: This is how you are being asked to respond intellectually to this call. It may be about learning, thinking, or communicating.

4, Emotional response: This is how you are being asked to respond emotionally to this call. It can tell you about feelings or relationships.

5, Physical response: This is how you are being asked to respond physically to this call. It can tell you about what can do or an action to take.

Wisdom of Swords Spread

Sasha Graham’s book 365 Tarot Spreads has a spread for every day of the year. She also includes an important historical moment from that day and additional tarot tidbits. The book is both fun and serious.

The spread Sasha designed for today, April 8, is the Wisdom of Swords Spreads. The spread is inspired by the historical fact for this day. On this day in 1692, arrest warrants were issued for Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyce, accused of witchcraft. While these two women ultimately escaped the gallows, nineteen others similarly accused, did not.

Sasha writes:

Tarot reflects the spectrum of the human condition. The decision to end someone’s life falls under the darkest aspect of the suit of Swords. Nothing is more destructive than a mind set on bloodlust and violence, and the extreme qualities of any suit can be deadline. Swords, typically the most frightening tarot suit, represent the quality of Air—our minds, thoughts, reasoning, and comprehension. Swords represent our intellectual understanding and what we tell ourselves about the world around us. This spread is based on the typical qualities of the suit of Swords.

The cards are laid out as indicated, in the shape of a knight’s sword.

1. Change: What do I need to change?

2. Power: How can I best exercise my power?

3. Oppression: How do I oppress myself?

4. Courage: How am I strong?

5. Conflict: What is bothering me?

6. Intellectuality: How can I reexamine my current situation?

7. Mind: How do I best expand my mind?

8. Action: What action should I take today?

Driving Our Own Bus Called “Life”

Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Kerry Nelson Selman, author of the new Crystal Resonance.

Recently, as I was meeting and greeting before a workshop, I was asked if I always feel as well as I seemed—”You always beam, it’s amazing.” I was reminded just how important it was for each of us to embrace self-responsibility, to be true to ourselves, to be aware that we bring all that we are to any relationship or meeting with another.

We drive the bus called “Life.” A bus that is out of control, at best, is no fun for anyone; a bus that lacks direction ends up lost. It feels so good to accept responsibility, to sit in the driver’s seat: we determine when to stop and how long we stay; we can choose the direct route or the scenic one. We choose if we pick up, and if we pass by; we choose what view to take in; we can struggle on overloaded, and we can stop and throw off the excess baggage.

Does this mean we should never ride as a passenger? Not at all! Others can take us to places unknown, open our eyes to wonders undreamed…and they can take us where we’d rather not be. All that is required is acknowledgement that we have chosen to ride their bus—no guilt, no regrets, no judgment; we can hop off anytime we choose and wish them well. We are stronger and wiser for the experience; we have left a trail of light across another that has served them, too.

So what do I do when I find myself struggling, feeling I’ve been “dropped in it” and starting to spiral? I return to that which I know. I return to the practice I have shared in Crystal Resonance. I acknowledge that I’ve let outside influences throw me off balance, that I’ve let myself hook into the drama of others. It is so easy to allow ourselves to unknowingly move from supporting another to being totally distracted by their world and then hooking into it. One thing I know for sure is that I cannot support another if I get down and dirty with them—I can never help ease another out of the mud hole if I’m standing in it with them—we simply create more mud.

I return to the practice that nurtures, nourishes, and sustains me. I sit within the synergy of my crystal and matching essential oil, essence blend, and meditation practice. I unroll my beloved yoga mat and I breathe. My practices may not be yours, but what matters is that we each honor that which serves us. The “Guru” is within, ever constant, patiently awaiting our return to greet us in the stillness, and help us integrate the wonder of all we have learned. I have played a while in the world of another, and I am grateful to them. I play; I learn; I grow; I teach…and as I teach I learn. I embrace devotion and discipline to my practice and I feel strong again. When I meet and greet another, I am in integrity; I am as fallible as they, but when I shine brightly then I know I reflect to them that which they truly are, and we both feel better for it.

Be however you choose to be…and shine brightly!

Our thanks to Kerry for her guest post! For more from Kerry Nelson Selman, read her article “5 Reasons to Combine Crystals, Oils, and Essences to Facilitate a Life Well Lived.”

The Secret in the 7 of Wands

Secrets of the Waite-Smith Tarot

It is not often that book comes along that really changes the way we understand tarot. Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin are incredibly thorough and dedicated researchers who have written a book that will change almost everything we think we know about the Waite-Smith Tarot.

Using Waite’s own writings (heretofore unpublished), visiting the place where the images were created, and immersing themselves in Pamela (Pixie) Coleman Smith’s world, Marcus and Tali answer questions about symbolism and design that we’ve only been able to guess at.

For example, the mismatched shoes on the figure in the 7 of Wands have been an issue of speculation for as long as I’ve been reading the cards. Here is the secret, straight from the book:

One feature of this image is that the figure wears obviously mismatched footwear. It has been commented on with various explanations, although the obvious answer is (as ever) in Pamela’s theatrical background. The image would have been instantly recognisable to her and her friends—although it may well have passed Wait by, given his lack of involvement and interest in the minors. It would be similarly the case with the 9 of Cups, 9 of Pentacles, and other cards. The character in this card is Petruchio, from Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of the Shrew.” He is the character who is trying to “tame” his wife-to0be, so he arrives very badly dressed for their wedding:

Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned, a pair of boots that have been candle cases, one buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta’en out of the town armory, with a broken hilt and chapeless, with two broken points (Act III, scene II).

We see immediately that Pamela has deliberately drawn one buckled boot and one laced shoe—and the loose lace is even completely clear.

Marcus and Tali go on to explain more about the character and in doing so show us how in choosing Petruchio, Pamela added meaning to this card that goes well beyond the words or descriptions provided by Waite.

May Wine with a Modern Twist

Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Melanie Marquis, author of The Witch’s Bag of Tricks, A Witch’s World of Magick, and the new Beltane.

Originating in Germany, May Wine is a beverage whose popularity has endured throughout the centuries and expanded across the oceans. As a May Day or Beltane beverage, it’s hard to find anything else with as much tradition and flavor as this simple yet delicious drink. Recipes vary, but at its most basic, May Wine is simply white wine that has been infused with the leaves of the woodruff plant, an herbaceous perennial with fragrant green leaves and delicate, white, four-petaled flowers. Both the leaves and the flowers of the woodruff are edible, and the flavorful tonics made from the plant are believed to help ease nervous tension and induce a feeling of calm and well-being. Sharing a cup of May Wine is a great way to relax, wind down, and say “Cheers” to the warmer weather. Sounds delicious, right? But what about those of us who abstain from alcohol? Well, never fear—it’s actually quite easy to adapt your May Wine recipe into a non-alcoholic version. Here’s a basic recipe that can be used to create many variations of May Wine, from the traditional to the not-so-traditional.

You’ll Need:

One liter white wine, non-alcoholic white wine, white grape juice, or apple juice
One liter carbonated liquid such as sparkling white wine, champagne, sparkling white grape juice, or club soda
One large handful fresh woodruff leaves
One small handful fresh woodruff flowers (optional)
One vanilla bean (scored), 1 tsp vanilla extract, or 2 tsp vanilla powder
One small lemon, one small orange, a few strawberries, or a few cherries (optional)

Place the non-carbonated wine, grape juice, or apple juice in a large, heavy pot and simmer over very low heat. Add in the woodruff leaves and the vanilla, and steep for about twenty minutes, stirring gently. Remove from heat and cover the pot, allowing the mixture to sit for about an hour. Strain out the solid plant matter from the liquid, and chill the resulting concoction. When you’re ready to serve it, mix it half and half with the carbonated liquid, then garnish with woodruff blossoms, strawberries, cherries, or slices of lemon or orange. Enjoy in the sunshine to ring in the May! For more great Beltane recipes, see Beltane, part of Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials series, and to learn more about magickal traditions from around the world, see A Witch’s World of Magick.

Our thanks to Melanie for her guest post! For more from Melanie Marquis, read her article “May Bush and Wishing Tree Magick for Beltane.”

Empowerment Through Being Powerless

Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Mark Anthony, author of Never Letting Go and the new Evidence of Eternity.

I was in New York City on a book signing tour where I was honored to visit the 9/11 Memorial. Watching the somber yet elegant memorial with its immense waterfalls flowing into the void was serene, yet I felt another emotion surge through me—anger.

I was angry that such enormous pain was inflicted upon so many innocent people by cruel, hateful fanatics—I felt powerless. And then it dawned on me: that’s the key to healing from the past—realizing that I was powerless to change it.

How many times do you feel anchored to the chains of the past? Does your mind replay a traumatic event over and over to the point that you feel no escape from the pain? Do you find yourself looking to someone else for approval or validation?

You may not even realize how much the past has a grip over your feelings in the present and your view of tomorrow. Recently, I met a woman who told me she didn’t go to her high school reunions because the “in” crowd never accepted or even acknowledged her. She admitted this made her feel badly about herself.

I told her, “You are powerless to change their behavior.”

“I never thought of it that way, Mark. Hearing that makes me feel better.”

Do you focus on events in your past that you feel “robbed” you of your validation, self-esteem, or even happiness? Were you treated rudely or cruelly by someone? Maybe it was a family member, friend, classmate, co-worker, boss, or stranger.

These negative emotions and experiences are intensified when linked to the death of a loved one. How many times have you wished you could go back in time and save someone’s life?

Given the opportunity, everyone would go back in time to save the life of a loved one. With the ability to time travel you could change something about your childhood, career, or relationship. You may even want to bring last Saturday night’s winning lottery numbers. As long as you’re swinging in to save the day you might as well become a millionaire—right?

Sounds great! But unless your eccentric genius neighbor Dr. Brown invites you to go for a spin in his DeLorean with its newly upgraded flux capacitor, it’s impossible to change the past.

On a serious note, people tend to feel responsibility for the terrible things that have happened to them, whether or not they were at fault. This self-imposed burden of responsibility triggers anger, resentment, guilt, and depression, all of which result in low self-esteem.

Realizing how powerless you are can empower your emotional healing.

When the darkness of negativity overwhelms you as your mind replays the death of a loved one, or some other trauma from your past, look to the Light of powerlessness.

Tell yourself:

“I am powerless to change the fact my loved one died.”

“I am powerless to change the past.”

“I am powerless to change his/her behavior.”

Accepting you are powerless to change the past or control the behavior of those who’ve wronged you lifts the weight of responsibility from your heart. This leads to accepting that you are the only one responsible for your actions and feelings. It also helps you understand that, while you cannot change the past, you must learn from it in order to grow personally.

By accepting that you have no power to change the past, you are now empowered to control the present. The road to healing is not an express lane but rather a long and winding road through many peaks, valleys, and detours, but ultimately you’re the one in the driver’s seat.

You may be powerless over yesterday but you are empowered today for creating a better tomorrow.

Our thanks to Mark for his guest post! For more from Mark Anthony, read his article “Dispelling the Superstition and Fear of Communicating with Our Loved Ones in Spirit.”

Role of Intuition in Divination

The Role of Intuition in Divination

From Tarot Beyond the Basics by Anthony Louis:

“Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.”

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

Intuition is such an important topic in tarot divination that this entire chapter [chapter 4: The Role of Intuition in Divination] is devoted to it. As Francis Bacon suggests, thoughts that come unbidden during a reading are often the most telling. Author Richard Roberts was so impressed by the significance of intuition that he advised his readers to throw away their interpretation books. Please don’t throw away this book, however.

One has to wonder why “unsought for thoughts” during a reading are so revealing. Whence do these unbidden ideas arise? Modern authors usually attribute the origin of such thoughts to empathy, intuition, and the subconscious mind. The traditional view, which spans several millennia, holds that such flashes of insight are gifts from a higher power such as angelic beings, spirits of deceased ancestors, or the gods themselves.

Anthony Louis continues exploring the role of intuition and card meanings in a very meaty and interesting chapter. The whole book is meaty and interesting, though. Louis includes a little alteration of Through the Looking Glass that I found very thought provoking. It opens a section called “Tarot’s Dirty Little Secret.”

Humpty Dumpty’s comments about “words” apply equally well to the tart. Consider the following interaction between Alice and Madame Dumpty (Humpty’s wife) during a tarot reading:

“I don’t know what you mean by the Seven of Swords,” Alice said.

Madame Dumpty smiled contemptuously. “Of course you don’t—till I tell you.”

“When I read card,” Madame Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”

“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make the cards mean so many different things.”

“The question is,” said Madame Dumpty, “which is to master—that’s all.”

Is Madame Dumpty right?